Ants to Watch For In The Bush
Ants Can Make Your Outdoor Experience Dangerous
Camping, hiking, trekking, and kayaking are opportunities for insects to get the best of you. One of those insects is the well-known ant or Formicidae for its scientific name. There are over 12000 species of ants all over the world. They belong to the Order of the Hymenoptera, the lineage includes wasps and bees.
You probably think you know them well. Not all of them can hurt you, most are a nuisance but there are some that pack a punch. Knowing which ants to avoid and where they can be found is important if you are to avoid the misery of being bitten by let’s say, a Bullet Ant. Generally speaking, one should avoid ants since they are all a nuisance and may be hard to identify.
There are scenarios in which ants can present a clear and present danger to you and others. Luckily, many of the most dangerous ones are in faraway places. But some are right here in the United States. The ubiquitous Army Ant is one of those found in the Southern United States. There are 200 species of the army ant and they pack a potent bite and sting. The army ant is found all over the globe, particularly in tropical areas like South and Central America, Africa, and some areas of Asia. Army ants are known to swarm their prey in the thousands and when their target is human it can be very painful. The first thing you will feel is the pinch of several army ants, followed by many more, then by thousands. One Army Ant can sting seven times in one attack. But trust me you will react to the first one before anything worse happens. So the next time you are camping in Florida, be on the lookout for one very tough ant.
Fire Ants are much more common in the United States and they are voracious biters. The ant actually bites to hold itself against your skin, then its stinger stings you as it is biting. Unlike bees, they do not lose their stinger. Try having 100 of those guys doing that at the same time and you can imagine the pain they could cause. Fire ants are native to South America and were introduced to the US in the 1930s on a ship in the port of Mobile, Alabama. Today they have spread across the US and are found in Alabama, California, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. They have been held back from the Northern states because of the cold weather. But as global warming results in warmer weather, it is only a matter of time before they show up in your neck of the woods. One percent of the population is hypersensitive to this ant and a sting could be lethal. Some can experience anaphylactic shock, depending on the number of stings. Most victims will experience pain and discomfort. If you feel woozy after stings from this ant get to a hospital
Weaver Ants bite and spit formic acid on their victims resulting in intense pain. They are found on and around trees in nests constructed from leaves. The nest can contain over 500,000 ants and they aggressively defend it from intruders. Weaver ants have been known to attack larger animals that trespass near their nests. They lack a stinger but their bite is intense. As with other ants, too many bites from this ant and you can wind up in the hospital. Not to worry after you survive you can eat their larvae as in some places, their larvae are considered a gourmet delicacy. These ants can be found in Australia, the Philippines, and Southeast Asia.
Meat Ants are found in Southern Australia and are also known as Gravel Ants or Meat Eater ants. They are not easily bothered but when they are they will bite in numbers and cause serious skin irritation or an allergic reaction. Like Weaver Ants the Meat Ant produces formic acid which it sprays on the bite to produce a sharp pain in its victims. They are called meat ants because they are known to strip the meat from carcasses very quickly and efficiently. Some folks call them the kickboxing ants because of the unique way in which they stand when fighting.
The Bullet Ant is the largest in the world and it packs the most painful sting of any ant in existence. Just one sting is enough to make you feel like you have been shot. That’s why they call it the Bullet Ant. This ant is found in the lowland rainforests of Central and South America. While their venom is incredibly painful. In fact, when you compare the pain associated with other ants, they cause but a fraction of the pain caused by the Bullet Ant. This ant uses not just formic acid but a concoction of alkaloids that cause extreme pain, cold sweats, nausea, vomiting, and irregular heartbeats. So you may want to make sure to avoid these guys on your next trip to the rainforest.
The Florida Harvester Ant also known as a Red Harvester Ant is an ant with a powerful bite, sting, and venom that can last many times more than other ants. They are generally not as aggressive as Fire Ants but they are fierce protectors of their pod which can be found in sandy soils in campgrounds across the state. The harvester ants have a venom that can be compared to the most venomous snakes. Individuals that are allergic to the venom will experience life-threatening reactions and can die from an attack if not treated quickly. They are very dangerous to the elderly or immunocompromised. There are 22 species of the Harvester Ant in the United States and yes they can be found outside of Florida. In fact, only the Florida Harvester is found East of the Mississippi River. They can be found in Mississippi, North Carolina, and Louisiana.
The Bull Dog Ant is the most dangerous ant in the world and is found in Australia. It is extremely aggressive and has been known to attack in waves. This ant has killed three people in Australia and injured many more. Their nests are found in soil but can also be found in logs or under rocks. There are several species including one that does not nest underground at all and is found in trees. During their intense attacks, they are known to jump on their victims. Like many aggressive ants this one attaches itself to its victim using its mandibles and then stings with its stinger. In Tasmania, 3% of the population is allergic to their venom. Yes, you can have an anaphylactic reaction after being stung by this ant. Even healthy folks have had to take a trip to the hospital following an attack by these ants.
The Safari and Siafu Ants in Africa and the Pony Ant in Australia are other dangerous ants to look out for when outdoors. There are thousands of ant species and many with similar qualities. But these stand out among the rest for their toughness and their resiliency. When you consider traveling, especially to foreign countries, make sure you study the local threats that may include these ants. That way you can be prepared for a rude awakening should you cross paths. Remember, encounters with ants increase during the rainy season as they attempt to get to higher ground. Before you set up camp look around to make sure you are not disturbing nests or their workers. Safe trails out there.
